Can I travel to Spain, France and Germany? Latest coronavirus holiday advice
BRITS travelling to and from Spain are now being told they have to quarantine for a fortnight on return due to coronavirus.
The UK made the decision to stop quarantine-free travel to Spain after a spike in Covid-19 cases on the mainland. But what about Germany and France?
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The government began opening air bridges from July 4 with around 70 destinations worldwide for Brits to choose from without being required to quarantine on return.
The countries currently include popular holiday destinations like France, Italy, Cyprus, Germany, The Netherlands and Greece.
But despite five new destinations - Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia and St Vincent and the Grenadines - being added to the list on Tuesday, July 28, Spain has now been removed.
What are the UK travel quarantine rules?
From July 10 the quarantine rules will not apply are travelling or returning from one of the countries with travel corridor exemption.
People travelling into the UK from countries and territories on the UK 'travel corridor' or air bridge list are not required to self isolate upon arrival.
A country being on a travel coridor list in the UK doesn't guarantee that you won't have to quarantine at your destination, so check with the Foreign Office before you go.
The list only applies to travellers from England, with different restrictions in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Passengers returning from all other countries must self isolate for 14 days from their return to the UK, no matter their nationality or profession.
There are exemptions, however, they really only apply to people like international goods drivers, aircrew, government specialists and diplomats.
Anyone entering the country must provide contact details and then self-isolate for 14 days, or face a fine of up to £100.
Police are conducting checks to ensure people are quarantining and not leaving their residence for the two-week period.
Magistrates also have the powers to prosecute or to issue unlimited fines for persistent breaches of the new self-isolation rule, or for refusal to pay a fine that has already been issued.
The quarantine is being run and enforced by Border Force, cops, and Public Health England officials.
Brits living in the UK can quarantine at their own home, but they are not allowed to leave the house for a fortnight.
Anyone without accommodation should be provided alternative accommodation by the government.
Spain
Spain was one of the first countries to welcome Brits back, with tourists visiting the country once again on the weekend of June 20/21.
But from midnight on Sunday, July 26, tourists have been advised NOT to travel to mainland Spain unless it is "essential", the Foreign Office has warned.
The country was removed from the government's "safe list" - with holidaymakers forced to quarantine for two weeks on returning home.
The advice against travel only applies to mainland Spain, with holiday hotpots such as Majorca and Ibiza left off the "no go" list - though travellers returning from the islands WILL still have to quarantine.
This means you can travel to the Balearic and Canary Islands as it's not against FCO advice but you will have to isolate on return.
The website says: "From 26 July, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks.
"Only the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa) and Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera) are exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.
"This advice is based on evidence of increases in cases of Covid-19 in several regions, but particularly in Aragon, Navarra and Catalonia (which include the cities of Zaragoza, Pamplona and Barcelona).
"The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time."
Brits are urged to contact their tour operator or airline for information regarding their return journey.
France
Brits can travel to France, with the country lifting the ban since June 15.
Travellers arriving in France from the UK are no longer required to self-isolate, to demonstrate their travel is essential or to hold an international travel certificate.
There is no quarantine requirement for arrivals coming into France from the wider European Area either.
If you are arriving from France to the UK then you are not required to self-isolate in the UK.
The Channel Tunnel is back up and running as normal, but please check ahead of travel.
Government officials in France recently warned that fresh lockdowns may be necessary to prevent renewed outbreaks in areas.
Turkey
Turkey is on the air bridge list, however, based on currently available information, there is a moderate risk of exposure to Covid-19.
New rules have seen face masks enforced in a number of regions across Turkey, or tourists face £100 fines.
Anyone wishing to undertake intercity travel using public transport must get an “HES” code (“Hayat Eve Sığar”). This can be done through the e-Devlet system, the HES smartphone application and by SMS.
There is reduced service throughout the country on trains and domestic flights, however regular bus services have resumed.
Temperature and health tests will also be conducted upon entry, with tourists quarantined if testing positive.
The FCO advises against travelling to within 10km of the Syrian border.
Italy
Italy was initially one of the hardest-hit countries by coronavirus, but have reduced their lockdown measures and welcomed Brits back since June 3.
The country has no quarantine measures in place and Brits will not have to quarantine when returning to the UK.
Portugal
From July 4, Madeira and the Azores are exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.
However, the requirement to self-isolate on return to the UK from Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores, remains in place.
On arrival in mainland Portugal you will be subject to health screening.
If travelling to Madeira, Porto Santo or the Azores, you must take a Covid-19 test before you travel or on arrival.
Dubai/UAE
The United Arab Emirates is not on the list of Foreign Office exempted countries.
British tourists travelling to Dubai this summer will have to quarantine on arrival and on return to the UK.
Stringent entry restrictions remain in place upon arrival in the UAE which may include, but are not limited to, a mandatory Health Authority Covid-19 test on arrival, mandatory quarantine for at least 14 days and follow up testing before you can be released from quarantine.
Once released from quarantine you must continue to comply with all measures put in place by the UAE authorities to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
As of July 6, holders of full British passports will once more be granted a free tourist visa upon arrival in the UAE although currently tourists can only fly to Dubai.
No application in advance of travel is needed. Your passport will be stamped with the visa as you pass through Immigration at any of the International airports in the UAE.
Visitors to Dubai must have international health insurance before travelling and must show that they have had a negative PCR Covid-19 test a maximum of four days before their departure date.
The UAE authorities announced on July 3 that all returning residents, except those from Dubai, have to undertake a Covid-19 test in the country they are currently in before travelling to the UAE.
Tourists returning from Dubai and the UAE are subject to 14 days quarantine in the UK.
The UAE halted all incoming flights on March 24, with thousands left stranded after the date was moved 48 hours earlier at short notice.
Hotels are already slashing prices by 60 per cent to encourage tourists to return, but no plans have been put in place for the arrival of international visitors as of yet.
Germany
Germany has welcomed tourists, including Brits, back to the country, since June 15.
From July 4, Germany is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. This is based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks.
Government officials in Germany recently warned that fresh localised lockdowns may be necessary to prevent renewed outbreaks.
Greece
Greece is open to tourists, although quarantines between seven to 14 days are enforced depending on coronavirus test results upon entering.
EasyJet has started reselling flights from London Gatwick to Athens and Tui have been flying there since July 11.
The country has managed to keep coronavirus cases relatively low, making it a popular choice for an air bridge with the UK.
Austria
Austria is also on the air bridge list.
From July 27 British nationals and EU/ECU nationals resident in the UK and travelling from the UK will not need to provide a medical certificate or quarantine.
If you are unsure if you have the virus, Vienna Airport sells tests for €190 which you must book in advance.
Croatia
There is an air bridge between Croatia and the UK.
Masks are compulsory across Croatia in public.
The Croatian government has introduced a new online entry form to screen foreign visitors.
You are advised to carry a copy of your accommodation booking or proof of ownership of holiday homes/boats when arriving in Croatia.
If you are travelling to Croatia for business, you are advised to carry evidence of a business invitation or meetings.
There are regional restrictions on travel. If you are considering overland travel from Croatia to neighbouring countries, you are advised to consult the FCO travel advice for those countries before travelling.
While flights to Croatia are still limited, Wizz Air has restarted its Luton to Split route three times a week, with fares from £21.99.
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